PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as his symptoms are related to the in-service stressors he reported.

The Veteran requested a revision of the May 2007 rating decision based on CUE, but the RO determined that no revision was warranted in the decision to deny compensation for PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination. The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his PTSD is pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) disability records and VA treatment records. A new VA examination will be conducted to assess the severity of his PTSD, and a vocational rehabilitation specialist will provide an opinion on whether he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reported in-service stressor event is not verified and does not align with his service record. As a result, the claim for service connection for PTSD cannot be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his lung cancer, which was the cause of his death. The Board finds that this is a contributory cause and grants service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new medical opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD permanently aggravated his nonservice-connected sleep apnea.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is not related to service or a verified in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA medical opinion to determine if any currently diagnosed psychiatric disorders other than posttraumatic stress disorder had onset in service or are related to an event or events in service. The Veteran's statements and specific experiences during military service will be considered.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed disability manifested by PTSD due to disease or injury incurred in service, and the claimed stressors are not supported by credible evidence.

The Veteran's Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is found to be related to service, while his Erectile Dysfunction is not caused by or aggravated by diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding private medical records from September 2010 to the present, and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claimed psychiatric disability and heart disability were not incurred or aggravated by service. The pre-existing conditions are presumed to have existed prior to service.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in deficiencies in most areas due to suicidal ideation, but did not result in total social and occupational impairment. The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for the period from April 16, 2001 to February 3, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine whether the Veteran experienced chronic depressive disorder and/or PTSD at the time he filed his service connection claim, currently experiences such disabilities, or experienced them during the pendency of this appeal. The Veteran's current appeal is being returned to the AOJ for further adjudication.

The Board has granted an initial 70 percent disability rating for service-connected PTSD and found that the appellant is entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service, and therefore grants the claim.